Somalia launches new campaign to end female genital mutilation

Posted by: Warqabad in NEWS IN ENGLISHMay 26, 2015Comments Off on Somalia launches new campaign to end female genital mutilation

MOGADISHU (DBN)—-Somalia’s government has launched a new campaign aimed at putting an end to female genital mutilation.

In partnership with NGOs and local activists, Somalia’s health ministry convened a meeting discussing the FGM which which left many Somali women mutilated.

According to UNICEF, FGM prevalence is about 95 percent and is primarily performed on girls aged 4-11 in Somalia. The survey said that FGM can have severely adverse effects on the physical, mental and psychosocial well being of those who undergo the practice.

The health consequences of FGM are both immediate and life-long. Despite the many internationally recognized laws against FGM, lack of validation in Islam and global advocacy to eradicate the practice, it remains embedded in Somali culture, according to UNICEF.

“We need to decide changing the current FGM status in Somalia which seems to be worrying.” said Mumino Sheikh, Somalia’s deputyhealth minister.

Beyond the obvious initial pain of the procedure, the long-term physiological, sexual and psychological effects of FGM/C are well documented. The consequences can even include death as a result of shock, hemorrhage or septicemia, according to health organizations.

Despite the many internationally recognized laws against FGM, lack of validation in Islam and global advocacy to eradicate the practice, it remains embedded in Somali culture.